Welcome to our shiny new series, Budget Ballin’—a curated collection of Melbourne’s best eats and drinks that will have you living the good life without the hefty price tag. We’ll be covering all bases from midweek bites and fancy chef menus to call-in-sick-worthy happy hours.
You're not imagining it—things are getting more expensive. But pinching pennies doesn't need to mean giving up on life's little luxuries like a cheeky glass of wine and a bowl of pasta on a school night. From Brunswick to Prahran, we've uncovered the inner city's best midweek dining deals to get you out of the house without breaking the bank.
Whether you're after wood-fired pizza and cocktails, housemade pasta and wine, or plant-based ramen and beer, here are 10 spots dishing up a drink and a meal for under $40.
MONDAY
Baby Pizza’s $28.50 Margherita + Margarita
Image: Baby Pizza | Instagram
At Baby, Lucas Restaurants’ (yes, the Chin Chin crew) casual Italian-inspired eatery in Richmond, nothing tops $40, but on Mondays, the deal is even sweeter. For just $28.50, you can grab a margherita (the pizza) and a margarita (the cocktail). The set offer makes ordering easy—the only decision you'll need to make is whether to stick with the classic marg or try their spicy passionfruit twist … and how many you’ll have.
Maggie's $35 Family Meal + Wine or Beer
Kiwi-inspired bar and eatery Maggie's is a Brunswick East fave but even if you don't live locally, their Monday night family meal is worth crossing town for. For $25, expect hearty mains like roasted eggplant with cashew cream or chicken schnitzel with mashed potatoes and nashi pear slaw. You can also tack on select beers or wines for just $10 more.
TUESDAY
$28 Tacos + Tommy's Marg at Bar Tobala
As one of Melbourne's best Mexican restaurants, Bar Tobala in Pascoe Vale offers a Taco Tuesday deal that's hard to beat. For $28, get a Tommy's margarita plus two tacos of your choice. Fillings change regularly but may include pulled chicken tinga, slow-cooked ancho beef, or prawn and chayote, all of which are also gluten-free.
$40 Ramen + Molly Rose Lager or Yuzu Highball at Smith & Daughters
Ramen is not typically vegan-friendly but Smith & Daughters is changing the narrative with their new vegan ramen nights, available every Tuesday and Wednesday. The $40 sets include your choice of plant-based tantanmen with pork mince or creamy tonkatsu with chashu. Both come with a carrot salad and a Molly Rose Kuro black lager (a Japanese style made with black rice) or a refreshing yuzu highball.
$5 Tacos + $5 Margaritas at Mesa Verde
Image: Mesa Verde | Supplied
Household name Mesa Verde are offering up an authentic and affordable bang-for-your-buck Mexican situation. Introducing Melburnians to Taco Tuesday (classic) with their bougie, usually spicily priced tacos going for just $5 dollars a pop. Get into some braised ox tongue or portabello and pair it all with their daily (4pm-6pm) margarita special.
WEDNESDAY
$35 Gnocchi + Wine at Rossi
Image: Rossi | Arianna Leggiero
With cozy seating, dim lighting, and an impressive cocktail offering, Greville Street's Rossi makes a great date-night spot but it's also a midweek treat for gnocchi lovers. On Wednesdays, $35 will get you a bowl of their pillowy gnocchi—choose from wagyu ragu, roasted pumpkin and goat cheese, or carbonara—plus a glass of wine and live jazz.
$25 Pasta + Wine at Central Club Hotel
Located on the fringe of the CBD, the recently renovated Central Club Hotel combines the charm of a traditional pub with a modern menu. The food offering ranges from duck terrine and lamb skewers to wagyu burgers and an extensive selection of pastas, available for just $25 including a glass of wine every Wednesday night.
$29 Pasta + Wine at The Gertrude Hotel
Image: Gertrude Hotel | Nikki Schuch
Fitzroy's refurbed pub The Gertrude Hotel has also embraced the budget-friendly Wednesday pasta night. $29 will get you one of their weekly pasta specials—either meat-based or vegetarian—plus a glass of wine. And if you've saved enough from the deal, treat yourself to a scoop of their tiramisu with chocolate and hazelnut crumbs.
THURSDAY
$30 Pasta + Wine at Greta
If you're after a budget-friendly dinner deal in the CBD, look no further than Greta, a European-inspired all-day eatery from the team behind Elio's Place. For $30 each Thursday night, you can tuck into a pasta of the day—rotating options might include eggplant casarecce, chicken fettuccine, or three-cheese shells—paired with a glass of wine.
DAILY
$25 Canapes + Petit Cocktails at Bar Margaux
Image: Bar Margaux | Annika Kafcaloudis
Late-night hotspot Bar Margaux may be known for their martinis, but their French-inspired fare is just as tempting. From 5 to 7pm and 10pm until midnight daily, enjoy three chef-selected canapés with a petit cocktail for just $25. For something heartier, try the $29 L'Americain, featuring a cheeseburger, frites, and a lager, or split the $35 steak tartare for two, complete with a pair of mini martinis. Très chic and just as affordable.
For more in our Budget Ballin' series, check out Coffee For Under $4 and Cheap & Free Things To Do and Eats Under $25.
Budget Ballin’: Melbourne’s Best (And Most Affordable) Cheap Eats In 2024
Looking for the best cheap eats in Melbourne? We've got you covered with a curated list of delicious, budget-friendly spots around the city. Dive into our picks for the top cheap eats Melbourne has to offer and discover how to satisfy your cravings without splurging.
Budget Ballin’: Melbourne’s Best Cheap Coffee For $4 Or Less
Welcome to our shiny new series, Budget Ballin’—a curated collection of Melbourne’s best eats and drinks that will have you living the good life without the hefty price tag. We’ll be covering all bases from midweek bites and fancy chef menus to call-in-sick-worthy happy hours.
Budget Ballin’: The Best Free And Cheap Things To Do In Melbourne
We love Melbourne, but you know ... living in one of the world's best cities comes with a price tag, good thing Urban List has you you covered with a stack of things to eat, drink, do and see all on a shoestring as part of our series Budget Ballin'. This time we've teed up 20 of the best cheap and free things to do in Melbourne to keep both you and your hip pocket happy.